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Blotter, March 4, 2013

A Mississippi woman was arrested Sunday on allegations she stole a purse from a 74-year-old woman after being allowed inside the victim’s home, according to an arrest affidavit.

Britney Hooper, 24, was arrested on suspicion of theft from an at-risk adult after Mesa County sheriff’s deputies were called to a home in the 500 block of West Conestoga Circle. The victim told police Hooper came to her door and asked for donations related to a college. Hooper also asked for permission to use the restroom and was allowed inside, the affidavit said.

When the woman was briefly distracted, Hooper grabbed the purse with about $180 in cash from a desk and ran away, the affidavit alleges. Deputies caught up with Hooper and arrested her several blocks away.

The affidavit claims Hooper is homeless and is “traveling the country with a traveling magazine sales company.”

District Attorney Pete Hautzinger told a judge Monday during a bond hearing that Hooper is being investigated as the suspect in an identical incident locally.

According to the Grand Junction Police Department:

■ Chad Boyd, 50, was cited Saturday on suspicion of trespassing at City Market, 200 Rood Ave.. He was accused of refusing to leave the men’s restroom.

■ Property valued at less than $750 was stolen Saturday from an unlocked vehicle parked in the 1100 block of North 11th Street.